Third - Call - ToR - 3.1 - EN-Final - Revised - Axis 3 - Natural and Cultural Resources 3.1. Sustainable Tourism (Updated On 05-11-2018)

Call for project proposals 2018:
Protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources

(Axis 3)
Terms of Reference
For modular projects focused on transfer
and capitalisation
(M2 + M3)
Specific Objective 3.1.:

To enhance the development of a sustainable and responsible coastal
and maritime tourism in the MED area
Programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Thematic context...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. EUROPEAN UNION ........................................................................................................................... 1
1.1.1. Europe 2020 Strategy ............................................................................................................. 1
1.1.2. Thematic Programmes ........................................................................................................... 3
1.1.3. Other funding instruments ................................................................................................... 4
1.2. Mediterranean space ...................................................................................................................... 5
1.2.1. Interreg MED Context ............................................................................................................ 5
1.2.2. MED 2007-2013 ....................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.3. Other European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) and Neighbourhood
programmes .............................................................................................................................................. 8
2. Modus operandi .................................................................................................................................... 10
2.1. A new approach: the Interreg MED architecture ................................................................. 10
2.2. Types of projects ........................................................................................................................... 11
2.3. Interaction between horizontal and modular projects ...................................................... 12
2.4. Programme communication tools for projects ..................................................................... 13
2.5. Adoption of a greener approach ............................................................................................... 13
2.6. From a “should” to a “must” ...................................................................................................... 14
2.7. Submission procedure and calendar of the call.................................................................... 14
3. Expectations for the Call ..................................................................................................................... 15
3.1. Expectations for the Specific Objective................................................................................... 15
3.2. What are we expecting from this call? .................................................................................... 20
3.3. Sub-thematic focuses ................................................................................................................... 20
3.4. Possible actions.............................................................................................................................. 21
3.5. Beneficiaries and target groups ................................................................................................ 22
3.6. Financial allocation ....................................................................................................................... 24
4. References............................................................................................................................................... 25
4.1. Interreg MED documents ............................................................................................................ 25
4.2. MED Projects 2007-2013 ............................................................................................................ 25
4.3. Regulations/ Directives ................................................................................................................ 25
4.4. Communications and proposals from the Commission...................................................... 25
4.5. Programmes co-financed by the European Union ............................................................... 26
4.6. Bibliography .................................................................................................................................... 26
Programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

Priority Axis 3: ENVIRONMENT: Protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources
Axis 3 Budget (Co-financing):76.27 M€ ERDF + 3.18 M€ IPA
Specific objective 3.1: To enhance the development of a sustainable and responsible coastal and maritime
tourism in the MED area. The specific objective is to enhance the development of policies and increase
the coordination of strategies between territories at interregional and transnational level regarding the
development of a sustainable and responsible coastal and maritime tourism, in line with the integrated
coastal zone management and maritime spatial planning principles, through cooperation and joint
planning.
The result indicator aims at measuring the level of sustainability of tourism in MED coastal regions.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
The MED 2014-2020 programme is committed to the development of a new thematic and
methodological basis in order to:
- Seek the improvement of the quality of the contents and aims of the programme, pursuing the
development already started in the 2007-13 programming period
- Respect the requirements of the new Regulations recalling for more thematic concentration
- Answer the demands of the actors of the European territorial cooperation in the challenging
socio-economic context of the Mediterranean
The Cooperation programme developed by the participating States and validated by the Commission, is
completed with Terms of Reference that detail the aims of each Specific Objective. The new architecture will
make project implementing simpler and more flexible, adapting to the research of both concrete and
transferable solutions. Links between the domains of content and policy become tighter and are backed up
by communication and capitalization activities structured on the programme level.
Equally, the governance of the programme and its further evolution have become a Priority action of its
own: it will be fed with contents also coming from other programmes and policies, striving towards a
more strategic vision of the whole MED area.
1. Thematic context
1.1. EUROPEAN UNION
1.1.1. Europe 2020 Strategy
Sustainable tourism as a key driver for growth while protecting the natural and cultural assets
Tourism is an economic and social asset that simultaneously creates high pressures on the environment.
Sustainable tourism managed in an integrated way is the clue for protecting natural and cultural assets
while using them as an economic force.
Sustainable tourism, as a transversal systemic theme by excellence, can contribute to reach Europe 2020
Strategy objectives. Developing sustainable tourism will contribute to enhance Europe’s competitiveness
while reducing environmental pressures and protecting its natural and cultural assets.
The EU tourism policy: from the Lisbon Treaty to a new political framework for tourism in Europe
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Terms of Reference S.O.3.1. Call for proposals 2018 – modular M2+M3 projects
In response to the new powers granted to it with the Lisbon Treaty and to the need for new measures
to stimulate EU growth, the Commission adopted a series of Communications since 20071, in order to
draw a new political framework for a sustainable and competitive tourism in Europe. The main
objectives of the EU tourism policy are to facilitate the responsible competitiveness of the EU tourism
sector, the sustainable growth and job creation of the tourism activity in order to provide to (the EU and
third countries) tourists high quality, best value for money, safe, innovative, sustainable and accessible
tourism products/experience.
Key challenges for the sustainability of EU tourism:

1. Reducing the seasonality of demand
2. Addressing the impact of tourism transport
3. Improving the quality of tourism jobs
4. Maintaining and enhancing community prosperity and quality of life, in the face of change
5. Minimizing resource use and production of waste
6. Conserving and giving value to natural and cultural heritage
7. Making holidays available to all
8. Tourism as a tool in global sustainable development
A focus on maritime and coastal tourism: From Blue Growth Strategy to a European Strategy for more
growth and jobs in coastal and maritime tourism
Due to its economic weight and its direct and indirect impact on local and regional economies, coastal
and maritime tourism has a great potential for jobs and growth, particularly for remote regions with
otherwise limited economic activities. However, coastal destinations face a number of challenges which
affect their further development, among others: fragmentation of the sector with a high proportion of
SMEs, lack of innovation and diversification, increased worldwide competition, volatility of demand and
seasonality, mismatch of skills and qualifications, growing environmental pressures.
As part of EU's Blue Growth strategy, the coastal and maritime tourism sector has been identified as an
area with special potential to foster a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe. It is the biggest maritime
sector in terms of gross value added and employment and it is expected to grow.
The development of coastal and maritime tourism contributes to achieving Europe 2020 Strategy
targets in several ways, as the strategy can help the sector fulfil its potential as a driver for growth and
job creation and reduce its environmental impact.
Recently, a specific focus to coastal and maritime tourism is given by the Commission with its
Communication for “a European strategy for more growth and jobs in coastal and maritime tourism”
(2014), enhancing the need for facing the challenge to exploit coastal and maritime tourism potential
in a way that sustainably produces benefits.
Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) as tools for the sound
development of sustainable tourism:
Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is widely accepted as a crucial tool to support sound management of
seas and oceans, including when implementing the ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention. Beyond
the ongoing activities of some EU Member States in implementing MSP at national or regional level, the
Member States must transpose the Directive into their national legislation by 2016 and draw up their
national maritime spatial plans by 2021. However, cross-border and transnational cooperation between
Member States remains limited. The Commission therefore seeks to stimulate the development of a
1
See section “Documents of Reference”, list of Communications and proposals from the Commission
2
cross-border, ecosystem based approach towards MSP in the European sea areas, among other actions
through projects with EU co-financing in various EU sea basins.
A crucial value of the ICZM Protocol is the emphasis on a more holistic ecosystem approach, i.e. a
strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation
and sustainable use in an equitable way.
The main challenges in creating an ecosystem-based approach arise from the need to integrate different
disciplines and sectors, and coordinate improved ways of sharing and distributing knowledge.
 In this context, Interreg MED Programme focuses on challenges regarding the environment, the
natural and cultural heritage and the inclusion of coastal and maritime tourism in global
sustainable development policies for the Interreg MED area, and especially into Integrated
Coastal Zone Management and Maritime Spatial Planning policies.
1.1.2. Thematic Programmes
The thematic concentration proposed by the Europe 2020 Strategy necessarily brings programmes to
coincide in some issues. Overlapping or redundancy shall be avoided, giving place to the comple-
mentarities between instruments. When relevant, the Interreg MED programme can contribute to
finance projects in coherence with these thematic programmes.
Concerning the S.O. 3.1., the following programmes have been identified for complementarities:
Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs - COSME

Concerning tourism, this Programme focuses in particular on the improvement of the competitiveness
and sustainability of enterprises in the tourism sector. The Work Programme 2014 has already proposed
funding towards increasing tourism flows in low and medium seasons and Diversifying the EU tourism
offer and products.
Complementarities with Interreg MED Programme could be envisaged in terms of regional policy planning
and management that supports enterprises for developing sustainable tourism offers and products.
LIFE+ Programme
In the period 2007-2013, LIFE+ co-financed several tourism-related projects.
For the period 2014-2020, complementarities might be possible, in connection also with the Specific
Objective 3.2. of the Interreg MED Programme, in the following priorities set in Life+ Programme:
- Under priority area ‘Environment and Resource Efficiency’, tourism-related eligible projects may
include: the implementation of water-saving measures in the tourism sector or in tourism
destinations, on the basis of hydro-economic models; the development of tools, technologies
and practices fostering the sustainability of tourism activities in marine environments, notably
when reducing the pressure of tourism on these environments; addressing marine litter or
microbial contaminants stemming from tourism activities; fostering synergies between ICZM
and maritime spatial planning in tourism destinations; the implementation of tools ensuring the
provision of water services in sparsely populated tourism destinations; the promotion of new
business models for resource efficiency in the tourism sector; the implementation of the
European environmental footprint methodology in the tourism sector; the promotion of
permanent noise Low Emission Zones schemes in urban tourism destinations; the use of low
noise surfaces in densely populated historic city-centres; the promotion of sustainable urban
planning in tourism destinations.
- Under priority area ‘Nature and Biodiversity’, tourism-related investments that may be
supported include: the assessment and/or monitoring of the impact of tourism activities on
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critical marine habitats and species; the promotion of active conservation measures in marine
habitats which are also tourism destinations; the elaboration and promotion of methodologies
for the valuation of and payment for ecosystem services in tourism areas; and the
demonstration of innovative ways of financing for biodiversity-related activities in tourism
destinations, e.g. engaging tourism actors through public-private partnerships, establishing
biodiversity offsets, etc.
- Under priority area ‘Environmental Governance and Information’, eligible projects may include:
the establishment of beach and clean-up schemes, with a view to raising awareness on marine
environment protection; and the promotion of sustainable consumption in tourism
destinations, through awareness-raising campaigns focusing on food waste and optimal food
storage.
- Under the sub-programme for Climate Action, eligible actions may include: the implementation
of adaptation strategies in vulnerable tourism destinations, notably in urban, coastal,
mountainous and island areas.
Creative Europe
The “Culture” sub-programme is the most interesting for tourism, with special actions including prizes,
the yearly awarding of ‘European capitals of culture’ to 2-3 cities, and the awarding of the ‘European
Heritage Label’ to sites with a historical value for the European integration process.
Horizon 2020
Due to the complexity and range of topics addressed by the various pillars, measures and programmes
of Horizon 2020, funding opportunities for tourism, even if not explicitly mentioned, may be multiple.
The 'Societal Challenges' strand may be of interest, enabling research funding around health and well-
being of the citizens (spa and health tourism), smart, green and integrated transport (tourism accessi-
bility), intangible cultural heritage and its digitalisation or (re-)use of cultural artefacts. Within the Work
Plan 2014-2015, tourism is explicitly mentioned with regard to innovation in the public sector, business
model innovation, protection and mapping of cultural heritage, and the delivery of Earth Observation
information services.
Complementarities could be therefore envisaged in those fields tackled by H2020, in connection also
with the Specific Objective 1.1. of the Interreg MED Programme.
DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

DG MARE projects on Maritime Spatial Planning in the Mediterranean Sea can contribute to Interreg
MED projects.
1.1.3. Other funding instruments
Cohesion fund
Under the Cohesion Fund, tourism-related initiatives may be funded under the thematic objective
‘preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency’, with priority given to
investments. Therefore, Interreg MED projects could be capitalised and mainstreamed thanks to the
Cohesion Fund in Interreg MED territories.
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development – EAFRD

Through EAFRD, tourism-related initiatives may be funded regarding: the development of skills and
capacities in agri-tourism; Basic services and village renewal in rural areas; Aid for non-agricultural
activities in rural areas; the development and marketing of rural tourism services. Tourism-related
investments are also included in local development strategies developed by LAGs and supported
through the LEADER initiative (Links between the rural economy and development actions).
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European Maritime and Fisheries Fund – EMFF
Through EMFF, tourism-related initiatives may be funded regarding: the development of coastal and
maritime tourism; pesca-tourism; tourist accommodation in coastal areas; coastal and maritime
recreation and leisure. The Funds promotes as well an integrated governance (through, for example,
networks and platforms linking Local and Regional Authorities with representatives of relevant sectors,
including tourism), cross-sector initiatives, and initiatives related to the protection of the marine
environment.
JESSICA instrument (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas)
Through JESSICA instrument, potential eligible initiatives relate to the protection, upgrading, manage-
ment and promotion of heritage or cultural sites for tourism use within urban environments. Other
investments potentially related to tourism include the creation of urban infrastructure and+ the re-
development of brownfield sites.
1.2. MEDITERRANEAN SPACE
1.2.1. Interreg MED Context
The overall objective of the Interreg MED programme is to promote sustainable growth in the Medi-
terranean area by fostering innovative concepts and practices (technologies, governance, innovative
services…), reasonable use of resources (energy, water, maritime resources…) and supporting social
integration through an integrated and territorially based cooperation approach. Under this aim, the
Interreg MED programme will support projects that will promote the reduction of the potential impact
of human activities on environmental and cultural heritage and ensuring a better protection of natural
resources.
Priority Axis 3. Protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources.
The Priority Axis 3 aims to reduce the potential impact of human activities on environmental and cultural
heritage and ensure a better protection of natural resources. It grants a specific attention to maritime and
coastal areas and water management that represent key challenges in Mediterranean regions.
Specific Objective (SO) 3.1: To enhance the development of a sustainable and responsible coastal and
maritime tourism in the Med area
The following needs in the Interreg MED context were detected to select the Investment priority
6c“Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage”,and more
specifically for the S.O. 3.1:
- High cultural and environmental resources in Interreg MED regions threatened by human activities
- High pressure of tourism activities and urbanisation, especially in the coastal areas of the Interreg
MED regions
- Increased pressure on natural resources due to the combination of human activities and
environmental changes (especially climate change)
- Increased pressure on water resources from a quantitative and qualitative point of view
The Interreg MEDterritory has extremely diverse natural, physical and geographic characteristics.
The juxtaposition of such diverse regions creates both opportunities and challenges for developing the
programme area. Its coasts are true assets (both as a place to live and for tourism) and the programme
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area is rich in biodiversity and natural and cultural assets. Yet, the region is also more vulnerable to
climate change, and environmental protection needs to be given a high priority.
While the Interreg MED space is rich in diverse natural resources, both on land and in the sea, while it
boasts numerous protected sites, its heritage is under constant pressure from human activities,
including tourism. Within Interreg MED space countries, the impact of human activity on the
environment is relatively high. It is worth mentioning that all the Interreg MED space countries recorded
an ecological deficit in 20092, i.e. the environmental capital of the area was used more quickly than it
was renewed.
On another hand, one specific trait of the economic ‘model’ of the regions in the Interreg MED space
that distinguish it from other cooperation areas is the importance of tourism, a potential for growth
that is still strong and a need to promote a more sustainable tourism industry (taking account of issues
related to "Blue Growth").
The SWOT analysis conducted for the Interreg MED Programme identified, among others, the following
key challenges regarding sustainable growth:
- Integrated coastal management: owing to land pressure, urban density, and to the presence of
the Mediterranean Sea, require particular effort for a coordinated management. Moreover, the
Mediterranean Sea is in itself a major transnational feature and is a source of myriad
environmental issues
- Protection of the environment and resources management: the Interreg MED space benefits
from substantial environmental assets. Most regions share common challenges regarding
water, biodiversity and the management of natural assets and heritage as a whole; especially
regarding the Mediterranean Sea. The introduction of concerted environmental protection
strategies, to reduce pollution at source, to harmonise environmental practices, and to more
effectively exploit natural assets is one of the Interreg MED space’s challenges that are more
important.
- Adopting sustainable development in sectors such as tourism, pleasure boating and other
marine recreation activities.
The Interreg MED space combines many appealing features (climate, coastlines, landscapes, cultural
heritage, etc.) making it the most popular tourist region in Europe and one of the largest tourist areas in the
world. According to the World Tourism Organization 3 , countries in the southern hemisphere and the
Mediterranean attract 18.5% of the world’s tourists. Between 2005 and 2012, this figure rose constantly
(+2.9%), and was higher than the rate of growth in Europe (+2.5%). This represents 15.9% of world tourism
revenues. In addition, France, Spain and Italy are among the world’s top 6 tourist destinations (in numbers
of tourists and in terms of the tourism revenues generated).
In 2012, the countries of the Interreg MED space (+2%) consolidated their performance of previous years
(+8% in 2011). Croatia, Portugal and Spain recorded a growth of 4% (above the average for the sub-region).
The World Tourism Organization’s forecasts that Europe, and especially Mediterranean Europe, will continue
to be a major destination, with numbers growing from 169 million in 2010 to 264 million in 2030.
The tourism sector, therefore, offers substantial opportunities in terms of economic growth and employ-
ment. Exploiting this potential will require development strategies for sustainability in the sector (with
respect to planning, the sustainable management of coasts, biodiversity and water resources,…).
2 Plan Bleu, Mediterranean Strategy for sustainable development follow-up: main indicators - 2013 update (May 2013)
3 UNWTO Tourism highlights 2013 : http://www.e-unwto.org/content/hq4538/fulltext.pdf
6
Taking into account their huge natural and cultural heritage, Interreg MED regions must promote a
development model respectful of resources that play a strong role in its economic and social develop-
ment. For this reason, sustainable development is considered as one of the most important challenges
to be taken into account. It requires that economic activities make a reasonable use of natural resources
and ensure long term balanced development. For the Interreg MED area, a specific challenge is
represented by tourism activities that generate strong pressure on the most attractive and most fragile
areas (land, soil pollution, water resources…).
Why sustainable and responsible tourism specifically in Interreg MED coastal regions?
Coastal areas are transitional areas between the land and sea characterized by a very high biodiversity
and they include some of the richest and most fragile ecosystems on earth. At the same time, coasts
are under very high population pressure due to rapid urbanization processes. More than half of today’s
world population live in coastal areas (within 60 km from the sea) and this number is on the rise.
Additionally, among all different parts of the planet, coastal areas are those which are most visited by
tourists and in many coastal areas tourism presents the most important economic activity. In the
Mediterranean region, tourism is the first economic activity for islands like Cyprus, Malta, the Balearic
Islands and Sicily. Forecast studies carried out by WTO estimate that international tourist arrivals to the
Mediterranean coast will amount to 346 million in 2020.
Tourism damages coastal environment:

Massive influxes of tourists, often to a relatively small area, have a huge impact. They add to the
pollution, waste, and water needs of the local population, putting local infrastructure and habitats under
enormous pressure.
Overdevelopment for tourism has the same problems as other coastal developments, but often has a
greater impact as the tourist developments are located at or near fragile marine ecosystems.
Recreational activities also have a huge impact, as well as the excessive use of marine resources. The
increased popularity of cruise ships has also adversely affected the marine environment.
Tourism can create great pressure on local resources such as energy, food, land and water that may
already be in short supply. According to the Third Assessment of Europe’s environment (EEA, 2003[2]),
the direct local impacts of tourism on people and the environment at destinations are strongly affected
by concentration in space and time (seasonality). They result from: the intensive use of water and land
by tourism and leisure facilities, the delivery and use of energy, changes in the landscape coming from
the construction of infrastructure, buildings and facilities, air pollution and waste, the compaction and
sealing of soils (damage and destruction of vegetation), the disturbance of fauna and local people .
Tourism affects coastal and maritime biodiversity:

Tourism can cause loss of biodiversity in many ways, e.g. by competing with wildlife for habitat and
natural resources.
Tourism affects socio-cultural identity:

Change of local identity and values, commercialisation of local culture, standardisation, adaptation to
tourist demands, etc…
But sustainable coastal tourism also benefits to coastal regions:

The main positive economic impacts of sustainable (coastal) tourism are: contributions to government
revenues, foreign exchange earnings, generation of employment and business opportunities, employ-
ment generation, contribution to local economies, direct financial contributions to nature protection,
competitive advantages.
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Sustainable tourism has also environmental management and planning benefits. Sound and efficient
environmental management of tourism facilities and especially hotels (e.g.water and energy saving
measures, waste minimization, and use of environmentally friendly material) can decrease the environ-
mental impact of tourism. Planning helps to make choices between the conflicting interests of industry
and tourism, in order to find ways to make them compatible. By planning sustainable tourism
development strategy at an early stage, damages and expensive mistakes can be avoided, thereby
reducing the gradual deterioration of the quality of environmental goods and services significant to
tourism.
Finally, sustainability of tourism has also socio-cultural benefits. Tourism as a force for peace, streng-
thening communities, revitalization of culture and traditions, encouraging social involvement and pride,
benefits for the tourists themselves of sustainable tourism.
An integrated and eco-systemic approach for sustainable and responsible tourism in the Mediterranean
area
As previously mentioned, coastal and marine areas provide important economic and social benefits to
citizens (food, employment, carbon storage, and coastal hazard protection amongst others). However,
the capacity of these areas to provide benefits is increasingly hampered by the lack of preservation of
natural capital and the unbalanced use of coastal and marine space. In order to restore and sustain
critical monetary and social/cultural ecosystem services, a framework for the integrated governance of
coastal and marine areas is necessary. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and Marine Spatial
Planning (MSP) are the two acknowledged approaches to promote sustainable development in coastal
and marine areas. The European Commission and the United Nations, notably the Mediterranean strand
UNEP-MAP (Mediterranean Action Plan for the Barcelona Convention) with its Regional Activity Centres
Blue Plan (for Sustainable Management) and Priority Actions ProgrammePAC/RAC (for Coastal
Management), implementing the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, are committed
in promoting these approaches in the Mediterranean area.
However, there is no real governance for tourism activities for the Mediterranean, as coastal tourism
mainly relies on local or national strategies, whereas environmental governance is in practice still very
fragmented and influenced by national political concerns. But there is a common interest to promote
the global attractiveness of the Mediterranean area and to have a coherent offer around the sea-basin,
as well as to tackle key transboundary environmental issues. Therefore, cooperation and joint planning
is needed, approaches and concepts need to be operationalised and tools for their implementation
developed for Interreg MED regions.
1.2.2. MED 2007-2013
The MED Programme 2007-2013 has developed few projects directly linked to Specific Objective 3.1.
However, about 15 projects financed in the previous period and related to tourism, integrated coastal
management and territorial management in a general way, may be considered (see section 3 for a list
of projects). In particular, in the case of tourism, projects undertaken as part of the MED programme
for 2007-2013 have highlighted the environmental impact of tourism and the need to explore ways to
promote sustainable tourism.
1.2.3. Other European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) and Neighbourhood programmes
According to the INTERACT study “Cross -Border Cooperation Maritime Programmes in the 2007 -2013
programming period”, from the 4 CBC Programmes participating in the study and representing the
Mediterranean Space, (CBC Adriatic IPA, CBC IT/MT Italy – Malta, CBC IT/FR Italie – Maritime – France,
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CBC EL/IT Greece – Italy), 60 marine/maritime projects have been identified. 12 of them have attributed
maritime and coastal tourism as the key theme tackled, 20 % of the funded marine/maritime projects
in the Mediterranean.
The majority of projects dealing with Maritime and Coastal Tourism focuses on making the selected areas of
intervention more attractive and accessible. Attractiveness mainly refers to the qualification of the provision
of services and/or the valorisation of local potentials: the overall approach is to propose a ‘package of offers’
combining tradition - local culture, wine & food, nature – with innovation: new services on site (new tourists
paths), new solutions to spread information (e.g., multimedia atlas, virtual museums, etc.) and to personalize
the journey according to the tourist’s needs (customized tourist itinerary, booking services, provision of
digitalized information through apps, etc.). The need for promoting the territories as such has also brought
to the realization - in some cases – of a common brand.
The analysis of secondary themes underlines the crosscutting feature of tourism and its leverage role in
encouraging interconnectivity with other themes. Out of the 12 funded operations, interlinking with
Maritime Knowledge (4 projects), Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Estuary Management (2
projects) and with Maritime Governance, Maritime Innovation and Business and Maritime Conservation
(1 project each) can be found.
From the ETC Programmes 2014-2020 covering the whole European area, complementarities are
highlighted with Interreg Europe and URBACT:
Interreg EUROPE
Related projects can be funded under the specific objective 4.1: ‘Improve the implementation of
regional development policies and programmes, in particular Investment for Growth and Jobs and,
where relevant, ETC programmes, in the field of the protection and development of natural and cultural
heritage”.
URBACT
Related projects may include: building of the capacities of city stakeholders (e.g. policy and decision
makers, municipal staff, etc.) involved in the design, funding, implementation and monitoring of sus-
tainable urban policies and action plans, including urban tourism strategies; implementing participatory
approaches in the production of integrated sustainable urban development strategies and action plans in
tourism destinations (involving support from experts and peers); and transnational exchange of
experience supporting the implementation of urban strategies and action plans targeting tourism areas.
ETC Programmes 2014-2020 with geographical overlapping with Interreg MED Programme that have
included the Investment Priority 6c in their Cooperation Programme and with which complementarities
could be found are:
ADRION: Promote the sustainable valorisation of natural and cultural assets as growth assets in the
Adriatic-Ionian area/region
BALKAN MED: Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage: an
improved management of river basins and the coastal environment
ALPINE SPACE: Design implementation strategies, set up models and test pilot actions to combine
tourism with the promotion and protection of Alpine natural and cultural heritage (however, the
territorial focus is different from Interreg MED).
ATLANTIC AREA: Enhancing natural and cultural assets to stimulate economic development
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CENTRAL Europe: 3.1:To improve integrated environmental management capacities for the protection
and sustainable use of natural heritage and resources; 3.2:To improve capacities for the sustainable use
of cultural heritage and resources.
Actions might include: the elaboration and pilot implementation of integrated strategies and tools
facilitating the sustainable management of environmentally sensitive areas by avoiding conflicts with
tourism and related land-use; the design and implementation of approaches to sustainably use natural
resources in tourism-focused regional development; the elaboration and implementation of integrated
local/regional development strategies making best use of cultural resources (heritage) to enhance
growth and jobs in the tourism sector; and the development and testing of ICT tools for the protection
and sustainable use of cultural resources by the tourism industry.
Italy-France Maritime: To improve the effectiveness of public action to preserve, protect, promote and
develop the natural and cultural heritage of the cooperation area
SUDOE: To develop strategies and plans for the sustainable management of natural resources and
tourism and for the economic enhancement of natural and cultural spaces.
ENI CBC MED: Thematic Objective 4 on Environment protection and especially Priority 4.4: Integrated
Coastal Zone Management - Incorporate the Ecosystem-Based management approach to ICZM into
local development planning, through the improvement of intra-territorial coordination among different
stakeholders
CBC Programmes (Cross Border Cooperation programmes): Experience from projects co-funded in the
previous programming period indicates that it is likely for tourism to be identified as an important
common challenge by the majority of cross-border cooperation programmes for 2014-2020
In addition, the Interreg MED Programme is in line with the 4th pillar of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic
and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) “Sustainable tourism” aiming at developing full potential of the Region in
terms of innovative, sustainable, responsible and quality tourism. Both its two sub-themes, the
diversification of tourism offer (products and services) and the sustainable and responsible tourism
management (innovation and quality) are in coherence with the Specific Objective 3.1. of the Interreg
MED Programme. Therefore, any complementarities with actions aimed at fulfilling the objectives of
EUSAIR 4th pillar are in line with the Interreg MED Programme objectives.
2. Modus operandi
2.1. A new approach: the Interreg MED architecture
The programme is designed in an integrated manner with projects of a complementary nature, with the
aim of strengthening the impact and visibility of Mediterranean cooperation through structured
capitalisation and governance processes.
The Interreg MED architecture is composed of three typologies of projects:
- Modular projects
- Horizontal projects In Axis 1, 2 and 3
- Axis 4 Governance Platform project and strategic projects
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See Factsheets “MED Modular Projects”; “Horizontal projects”; “Axis 4 platform project” of the
Programme Manual for further information on the architecture and the types of projects.
The ‘modular’ projects study, test and transfer main outcomes at territorial level, responding to the
needs of the territories. They are designed with a “module-based approach” to reflect the three
successive phases of a public intervention: a phase of study and development of strategies and policies
(Module 1); a phase of testing, to validate the hypothesis developed and transfer into the territories
(Module 2); a phase of capitalisation of results at transnational level (Module 3).
The “horizontal” projects create and animate thematic communities and cluster the outcomes of the
modular projects to reinforce and complement sound capitalisation processes. They also enable
synergies and favour connexions between MPs from the different communities as they are interrelated
thanks to crosscutting themes as demonstrated notably during the Mid-term event of the programme
where communities promoted jointly the results of their communities regarding climate change, blue
growth, and inclusive growth.
The work produced by the thematic communities in turn feeds the Programme governance level acted
through the top-down governance project PANORAMED of national and regional authorities and its
strategic projects.
The three levels are strictly interconnected and feed each other through a circular bottom-up/top-down
dynamic.
This Architecture can be materialised with the following scheme:
2.2. Types of projects
Based on the module approach, different types of projects are possible within the Interreg MED
Programme, single modules or multi-modules.
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However, the present call for proposals is open only to multi-modular M2 + M3 “Testing and Capitalising”
type of projects.
For your complete information, you can find below types of activities and outputs than can be developed
in such projects.
The "Studying" module being excluded, a time to recover and adapt existing knowledge could be
included on the first quarter of activities, within the feasibility check (the desk research would be done
outside the project, during the application).
 M2 - TESTING: Pilot demonstration and transfer actions

The “Testing” module should promote a large-scale application / replication of existing tools or
solutions.
Type of activities: a module dedicated to pilot activities where project partners will have the possibility
to test processes, techniques, models, in the perspective to setup solutions applicable to a wider set of
users and territories. Pilot activities can be setup when the context, data and actors are already well
identified and when technical and institutional conditions are favourable. This does not exclude, if duly
justified, preliminary tasks for the launching of pilot activities. The transferability of pilot activities to the
territory is compulsory in this moduleand should be specifically reinforced in this Call for proposals.
Types of outputs: Preliminary studies (feasibility), common methodology for demonstration, testing and
evaluation, plan of results portability, transfer protocols and tools.
 M3 - CAPITALISING:Transfer, dissemination and capitalisation:

The “Capitalising” module should see its types of activities reinforced in order to ensure a level of
capitalisation compatible with the Programme's strategy and will have to take into account outputs of
finalised MED projects
Type of activities: When methodologies, practices, intervention tools have been tested and imple-
mented by stakeholders at local or regional level and that they represent a strong interest for wider
dissemination in the Interreg MED eligible area, projects can develop capitalisation and dissemination
activities. A specific attention will be paid to the transfer of results towards regional and national ERDF
programmes and to the involvement of end users in the dissemination processes. It will be necessary to
ensure that tools, practices and methodologies are effectively taken on board by all actors concerned,
and applied at local, regional, national or transnational level as broadly as possible and free of charge.
Types of outputs: policy recommendations, Memorandum of Understanding, agreements, procedures,
regulatory proposals.
2.3. Interaction between horizontal and modular projects
Horizontal projects support modular projects in communication and capitalisation activities and ensure
common results’ transnational transferability
The horizontal projects under the coordination of the Programme Authorities have the task to promote
the modular projects’ communication and capitalisation actions within a joint framework, in order to
better highlight the interests of the Programme as well as of the transnational projects themselves. Each
modular project is linked to a horizontal project.
Horizontal projects capture elements of the modular projects within each thematic Programme specific
objective, analyse them, summarise and ensure their transnational dissemination and transferability, in
cooperation with the Programme Authorities. They provide the frame for developing synergies, produce
summaries and qualitative analysis as well as coordinate and manage (under supervision of the JS) the
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communication of a cluster of projects. They structure and disseminate a message for the entire MED
community and work on thematic inter-axes links (1, 2 and 3) and with the Axis 4 "platform" project
PANORAMED (governance).
Horizontal projects help and support the communication and capitalisation of selected modular projects
for each call and for each specific objective, proposing relevant tools for coordination between
horizontal projects, between horizontal project and modular projects and finally between horizontal
projects and the programme level.
The modular projects can benefit from the ‘savings’ created thanks to the work of the horizontal project:
they do not need to carry out transnational communication or capitalisation tasks outside their
territories and/or in a larger approach than their specific topics, which are taken over by the horizontal
project. Apart from local communication towards direct target groups of each partner, the modular
projects can concentrate their effort mainly in content issues.
On the other hand, each modular project contributes to the communication and capitalisation activities
of the Horizontal project to which it is linked. The expected needs for this cooperation include, amongst
others: preparing dispatches with the relevant information for communication or sectorial analysis,
participating in events and discussion groups. This implies that each partner should consider the
possibility of participating in up to two joint events per year organised by the horizontal projects.
For each modular project, a contact person should be designated to act as point of reference in the
communication between the project and the horizontal project.
In this flux of information, the modular projects are supposed to elaborate information in the most
convenient format to be treated by the horizontal projects for communication or analytical purposes.
2.4. PROGRAMME COMMUNICATION TOOLS FOR PROJECTS
Interreg MED Programme web platform and visual identity (see Programme and Project brandingbook):
For the daily coordination, the Interreg MED Programme provides a web platform with all the necessary
tools and functionalities. It helps horizontal and modular projects to receive/provide information and
communicate with all necessary levels. The web platform is the communication hub, allowing for
promotion, but also management, coordination and exchange.
In this regard, modular projects should not foresee budget allocations to develop project websites.This
indication is also valid concerning specifically the creation of project logos, since the Programme will also
provide a common framework for the logos.
This common approach solution for the projects websites and logos will ensure economies of scale,
reducing hosting and website development costs and allowing the projects to concentrate their budget
allocations on the development of more effective communication activities at their level.
Modular projects will be able to dedicate more efforts and time to the technical part and thus produce
better results. Their partners will have to forecast a specific budget for transnational coordination with
Horizontal project and communication activities at a local level.
2.5. Adoption of a greener approach
After a strong work of knowledge exchange, guidelines on “Greening our event” have been produced
by Interreg MED thematic communities. This initiative allows the promotion of sustainable practices
towards more environmentally friendly events organised by Interreg Med projects. The projects
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approved under this Call for proposals are recommended to take vision and adopt the guidelines in
order to integrate sustainability criteria in the organisation of their project events.
2.6. From a “should” to a “must”
The project applications must be designed in order to provide objective responses to well identified
challenges. Projects are requested to work over the outputs of previous projects, establishing a working
plan of recognizable capacity to address concrete results. In short, project proposals have to establish a
clear and logical path from a demonstrated need to tangible and realistic output(s).
Projects should be built under the perspective of capitalizing any relevant experiences and results (from
activities financed by Interreg MED or other). This point of departure has to be fully identified, as well
as the strategy for its use in the development of the new project. Actions and their expected outcomes
have to address the relevant stakeholders and the uptake of conclusions, in accordance tothe type of
project and concerned sector of activity.
2.7. Submission procedure and calendar of the call
For the current call for proposals, projects will have to submit their application through a two-phase
procedure:
- A 1st phase consisting in a pre-application where only some sections of the Application Form
have to be filled in and will be assessed (verify the courtesy “Pre-application Form template”
available for the call)
- A 2nd phase consisting in a full Application Form, where all sections of the Application Form
have to be filled in and will be assessed.
The pre-application phase of the submission will be followed by an eligibility check and a first
assessment, according to the administrative and assessment procedures approved by the Interreg MED
Monitoring Committee
Only the best scores will be admitted to the full application phase.
An intermediate parallel step of information exchange and bilateral meetings will be organised between
the partnerships admitted to the 2nd phase and the MED JS in order to support applicants in the design
of their full application and to ensure a coherence between Programme objectives for this Call and
projects objectives.
A second administrative check as well as a second final assessment will be performed after the full
application submission phase.
For more information about the submission procedure, see the factsheet “two phase application
procedure” of the Programme manual.
For more information about eligibility and assessment criteria, see the factsheet “Appraisal of project
proposals” of the Programme manual.
Lead Partners willing to submit a proposal in the framework of the call must request the creation of the
proposal in the monitoring system SYNERGIE CTE to the Joint Secretariat, following the procedure
detailed in the dedicated Synergie Guide.
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The calendar of the call is the following:
Key steps Dates

Pre-application submission phase Call open from 30/10/2018 to 31/01/2019
31/01/2019 at 12.00 (Paris time): Deadline for
validation of pre-application via Synergie CTE
14/02/2019 at 12.00 (Paris time): Deadline for
upload of annexes on Synergie CTE (pre-
application form confirmation page (Section E) +
Expressions of Interest per each partner and the
LP + Associated Partners Declarations)
Pre-application assessment February-March 2019
Pre-application selection April 2019
Exchange with applicants admitted in the full April 2019 / early May 2019
application phase
Full application submission phase Call open from 02/05/2019 to 27/06/2019
Full application assessment July – August 2019
Full application selection September 2019
Pre-contracting and contracting procedures October 2019
Starting date of the projects 01/11/2019
Please note that the full application phase calendar might be subject to some modifications after the
pre-application phase.
3. Expectations for the Call
3.1. Expectations for the Specific Objective
The activities of a project under Specific Objective 3.1 of the Interreg MED Programme must contribute
to enhance the development of policies and to increase the coordination of strategies between
territories at interregional and transnational level regarding the development of a sustainable and
responsible coastal and maritime tourism, in line with the integrated coastal zone management and
maritime spatial planning principles, through cooperation and joint planning.
Thus, the main challenge is to improve cooperation, joint and integrated planning and to better manage
conflicting interests (economic development, tourism, use of scarce resources, environmental
changes…) to enhance the development of tourism as an asset for the sustainability of Interreg MED
regions, in all three aspects of sustainability (environment, social, economic).
Concretely, the implementation of integrated public policies, the application of Integrated Coastal Zone
Management protocols, and the transposition of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive into the
territories and the application of common indicators measuring the sustainability of tourism in the area
are priority subjects to be addressed.
Since the beginning of the 2014-2020 Programming period, a total of 91 projects were approved, from
which 12 under S.O.3.2, with the following distribution:
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The Interreg MED Programme 2014-2020 has already selected 15 modular projects, 2 integrated
modular projects and 1 horizontal project under S.O.3.1., with the following distribution:
Thus, the Interreg MED Programme already co-funded 10 studying phases, 14 testing phases and 6
capitalising phases. These projects compose the community of projects animated by the horizontal
project BLEUTOURMED. The BLEUTOURMED project coordinates the Sustainable Tourism thematic
community of modular projects. It leads the thematic community and reinforces it with community
building activities, capitalisation events and thematic workshops. Through its activities the project
enhances the dissemination and transferability of the modular projects results and ensures a wider
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impact of the projects on external multilevel stakeholders, thus contributing to the sustainable socio-
economic development of the Mediterranean area.
The projects submitted in the framework of this call must build on existing initiatives in the MED area
including the outcomes of the Interreg MED closed (2007-2013 and 2014-2020) and ongoing projects
(2014-2020). The 2014-2020 closed and ongoing projects are listed below. For more information on
the projects, please see our webplaformhttps://interreg-med.eu/.
Study projects (2):
SHAPETOURISM (New shape and drives for the tourism sector: supporting decision, integrating plans
and ensuring sustainability) – CLOSED
ShapeTourism(started 11/01/2016 and ended 04/30/2018) has produced both analytical and operational
tools to help identifying innovative policies guaranteeing the sustainability of tourism development
processes. Its achievements are a Smart Integrated Tourism Data System, a Participative Decision Support
System and a ShapeTourism Protocol for Destination Marketing organisations.
SIROCCO (Sustainable InterRegionalcOastal& Cruise maritime tourism though COoperation and joint
planning) - CLOSED
SIROCCO (started 11/01/2016 and ended 06/30/2018) has tackled the main problems that prevent the
Mediterranean from exploiting the full potential of Cruise Tourism and produced:
• An integrated view of the current state of Mediterranean cruise tourism and its impacts,
• A foresight of Mediterranean cruise tourism for the following decades,
• Transferable recommendations on developing sustainable & responsible Cruise Value Chains in the
Interreg MED area,
• Coordinated strategies & policies at regional and transnational level regarding the development of a
sustainable and responsible cruise maritime/coastal tourism.
• A sustainable cruise tourism certification system
Study + pilot projects (6):
BLUEISLANDS (Seasonal variation of waste as effect of tourism) – Ongoing
BLUEISLANDS (started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019) has measured the correlation of tourism and
waste generation, through analysis of micro-plastics and marine litter on 18 selected beaches, and an
investigation of the quality of coastal seawater through short-term macro algae deployments. The project
has entered its nextstep: developing action plans for each of the 9 partner islands to promote sustainable
tourism and circular economy loops.
BLUEMED (Plan/test/coordinate underwater museums, diving parks and knowledge awareness centres
in order to support sustainable and responsible tourism development and promote blue growth in
coastal areas and islands of the Mediterranean) - Ongoing
BLUEMED (started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019) has provided studies on the natural, cultural, and
legislative conditions to develop and promote Underwater Museums with the aim toprotect marine
ecosystem and underwater cultural resources. It has entered its pilot activity phase and will eventually
promote a sustainable and responsible model of tourism development for 5 selected regions of the
Mediterranean.
CASTWATER (Coastal areas sustainable tourism water management in the Mediterranean) - Ongoing
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CASTWATER(started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019) has conducted the necessary studies to
supports sustainable tourism policies and practices on water efficiency in coastal areas and drafted a Good
Practice Guide for the adoption of sustainable tourism water management solutions by SMEs. Its
transnational challenge is to reduce the impact of tourism activities on environmental heritage and to
improve the management of water resources in the tourism sector. It has started the testing and
transferring phase in 7 areas.
CO-EVOLVE (Promoting the co-evolution of human activities and natural systems for the development
of sustainable coastal and maritime tourism) - Ongoing
CO-EVOLVE (started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019)has produced analysis on the co-evolution of
human activities and natural systems in touristic coastal areas. Coupling analysis on threats and enabling
factors for sustainable tourism with local studies. It has entered the pilot phase in7 representative Pilot
Areas, to demonstrate the effectiveness of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management/Maritime Spatial
Planning-based planning process.
EMBLEMATIC (Emblematic Mediterranean mountains as coastal destinations of excellence) - Ongoing
EMbleMatiC(started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019) has organised local participative workshops
and case studies in each selected mountains to define the emblematic elements and the common
methodological framework. The aim is to create and test a new and radically different tourism offer based
on the common characteristics of 9 coastal Mediterranean mountains, to produce an alternative to the
traditional sun and- sea model.
MEDFEST (Mediterreanean culinary heritage experiences: how to create sustainable tourist

destinations) - Ongoing
MEDFEST (started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019) has collected practical knowledge on sustainable
culinary experiences and learning from existing social innovations. It aims at supporting local communities
in organising sustainable culinary experiences which will bring them satisfaction and economic benefit.
Pilot projects (2):
DESTIMED (Mediterranean ecotourism destination: main components (joint planning, monitoring,

management and promotion)for a governance system in Mediterranean protected areas) - Ongoing
DestiMED (started 11/01/2016 and ending 04/30/2019) is testing in 5 locations tools to help private
sectors partners in Mediterranean protected areas to develop, manage, and promote high quality
ecotourism packages, both at local scale and together in a regional network.
TOURISMED (Fishing tourism for a sustainable tourism in the MED area) - Ongoing
TOURISMED (started 02/01/2017 and ending 07/31/2019) is testing in 7 destinations, a fishing tourism
business model in Mediterranean coastal territories as a way to promote a sustainable approach to
tourism: it fosters the preservation of the marine ecosystem and traditional fishing culture. Facing
challenges such as the worrying depletion of marine resources, the decline of the artisanal fishing sector
and the negative impacts of tourism, the project’s expected results deals with an improved use of
resources by artisanal fishers, a diversification of income in the sector and a better valorisation of coastal
traditional heritage and local seafood. The project intends to transfer its results to other territories.
Pilot + Capitalisation projects (4):
CONSUMELESS (Consume less in Mediterranean touristic communities) - Ongoing
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CONSUME-LESS (started 11/01/2016 and ending 10/31/2019) has tested actions plans on sustainable
water, energy and waste management in 6 pilot areas. The action plans focus on reduction in the
consumption of water and energy and on waste reduction through prevention of waste generation in the
tourism sector. The project has set the “Consume-Less” label and will next promote and heighten tourist
awareness on certified hotels, bars and restaurants through an innovative marketing campaign.
MEDCYCLETOUR (Mediteranean cycle route for sustainable coastal tourism) - Ongoing
MedCycleTour(started 02/01/2017 and ending 01/31/2020) project has organised a training session in
Seville for Route inspectors as a tool to develop the cycle tourism based on the EuroVelo 8 – Mediterranean
route, a cycle route that crosses seven countries from Spain to Cyprus. The project intends to provide
strategies, knowledge and support to fully develop the potential of cycle tourism across the whole
Mediterranean region.
MITOMED+ (Models of integrated tourism in the Mediterranean plus) - Ongoing
MITOMED+ (started 02/01/2017 and ending 01/31/2020) is promoting its Green Beach Model to enhance
the sustainability and responsibility of Maritime and Coastal tourism. Its aim is to:
• increase knowledge and social dialogue regarding the development of the M&C tourism in each of the
5 partner regions for better decision-making;
• improve M&C tourism planning at destination level and its coordination for a transnational governance;
• mainstream its result into local, regional and national policies.
Capitalisation project (1):
COASTING (Coastal INtegrated Governance for Sustainable Tourism) - Ongoing
COASTING’s (started 02/01/2018 and ending 07/31/2019) transnational partnership is activating

synergies and cooperation to share specific solutions for an integrated and responsible management of
coastal areas, particularly invested by tourism criticalities. The project capitalises on previous experiences
related to sustainable development and landscape recovery so that a new-shared methodology will
enhance the governance tool with activities focused on tourism qualification and sustainability.
Integrated projects (study + pilot + capitalisation projects) (2):
HERIT-DATA (Sustainable Heritage Management towards Mass Tourism Impact thanks to a holistic use
of Big and Open Data) - Ongoing
HERIT-DATA (started 02/01/2018 and ending 01/31/2022).The project aims at reducing the impact of
tourism-related human activities on cultural heritage, with a special focus on old towns & sites of
particular cultural heritage or archaeological interest for visitors, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
present in the Interreg MED territories. HERIT-DATA plans to develop a sustainable and responsible
tourism management towards cultural heritage by taking advantage of technology and innovation in
management tools (Smart Cities), as well as other policy and social measures.
INHERIT (Sustainable tourism strategies to conserve and valorise the Mediterranean coastal and
maritime natural heritage) - Ongoing
INHERIT (started 02/01/2018 and ending 01/31/2022) aims to conserve and valorise natural heritage in
the Interreg MED coastal and maritime tourist destinations. It will promote sustainable tourism, alleviating
seasonality and tackling the surpassing of the hosting capacity, by designing and implementing a “bottom-
up” protection approach relying on self-regulation and monitoring by local society and tourism
stakeholders.
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3.2. What are we expecting from this call?
From the strategical point of view,as stated in the previous section:

- implementation of integrated/adapted public policies,
- application of improved Integrated Coastal Zone Management protocols,
- adapted transposition of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive into the territories,
- sound application of common indicators measuring the sustainability of tourism in the area,
- (improved) coordination of actions between public authorities of different Interreg MED
territories,
- increase of transnational and interregional cooperation and action plans,
- increase of number of regions involved in such strategies
remain priority subjects to be addressed for this call for modular projects.
The specificities of this call rest on the targeted territories and type of modules to be implemented.
The analysis of the closed and ongoing projects underlined the needs to draw a specific attention to the
islands and to the low density areas. By low density areas, it is designated NUTS 3 regions with less than
66,2 inhabitants per km². (population density can be found on Eurostat map:
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/RCI/#?vis=nuts3.population&lang=en)
The analysis also pointed out the success of study projects and projects proposing pilot activities based
on previous studies (from the Interreg MED and other initiatives).
As described above, projects under the 3.1. objective have conducted studies and produce outputs such
as Integrated data system, Decision Support System, protocols, states of the art, swot analysis, feasibility
studies, prospective studies, recommendations, certification systems, action plans, strategies, models
and processes. Most of them are being tested in pilot areas but only some of them will be subject to
transferring activities. Thus, the Programme wishes to encourage the transfer of existing solutions, not
only the solutions provided by the Interreg MED Programme but also from all initiatives from the MED
area, to a larger extent. Therefore, the allocated budget for this third call will be dedicated to M2 + 3
with a particular attention to actions of transfer and capitalisation.
Moreover, the values for the output indicators set by the programme for this period indicates that the
Number of regions and sub-regions engaged (through charters, protocols, MoU) in implementing
sustainable tourism plans and the Number of tourist destinations covered by a sustainable tourism
evaluation tool are low compared to the expectations.
COOPERATION, TRANSFER, REPLICATION and CAPITALISATION at transnational level on one hand and
ISLANDS and SPARESELY POPULATED areas on the other are the key words for this call for proposals.
Additionally, projects shall ensure coherence and complementarity with ESI funds (ERDF, ESF, Cohesion
Fund, EAFRD, EMFF, see section 6.1. of the Cooperation Programme), ERDF regional and national
programmes and/or other relevant regional/local plans, as well other EU and international thematic
programmes and policies, taking into account on-going actions and, if relevant, supporting the transfer
of results from the Interreg MED programme to these programmes.
3.3. Sub-thematic focuses
The Interreg MED programme promotes a holistic and integrated approachthat should be adopted by
the projects financed in this programme.
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In this perspective, there is a strong link with Specific Objective 3.2 on the management of protected
areas, when considering the interconnection between protection on one hand and valorisation on the
other hand of protected areas, which are an asset for sustainable development tourism that should be
protected from negative pressures.
However, direct links are to be considered as well with Axis 1, considering innovation in the tourism
sector and smart specialisation strategies, and Axis 2, especially when energy efficiency and energy
resources in tourist destinations (mainly cities and islands) are tackled, or regarding transport planning
in high tourist destinations (e.g. cruise tourism destinations).
The motivation of the proposed fields of intervention is based on the above-mentioned integrated
approach, as well as on the complementarity of the Interreg MEDCooperation Programme with relevant
EU and UN policies and hot topics identified by key stakeholders and thematic experts.
Projects under this Specific Objective should answer to two key questions for enhancing the
development of sustainable coastal and maritime tourism. These questions correspond to two large
fields of intervention, the one oriented towards policy, the second towards operational planning:
1. How to integrate tourism development into wider strategies?

Tourism development cannot stand alone. It is closely linked to practically all other sectorial regional
strategies. In particular, when dealing with coastal and maritime tourism, Integrated Coastal Zone
Management and Maritime Spatial Planning should be considered as well as strategies and action plans
such as the strategy and action plan for the circular economy and the blue growth strategy. Tourism
should be also better taken into account in other thematic strategies, e.g. air quality plans, sustainable
mobility plans, energy efficiency plans.
For this reason, a transition towards an integrated and eco-systemic approach should be the driving-
force for the future.
In this call, emphasis will be given on:

 Tourism in Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
 Tourism in Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)
 Tourism in integrated regional development policies
2. How to enhance sustainable and responsible tourism management?

In order to enhance the development of a sustainable and responsible coastal and maritime tourism, an
improved planning and management of coastal tourist destinations is needed, to prevent negative impacts
on natural and cultural heritage and to promote an innovative, sustainable and high quality offer.
3.4. Possible actions
As previously mentioned, projects under this Specific Objective should answer to two key questions for
enhancing the development of sustainable coastal and maritime tourism. These questions correspond
to two large fields of intervention, the one oriented towards policy, the second towards operational
planning.
For answering to those questions, different types of actions are possible, from data collection to the
development of models and tools, from knowledge transfer to awareness-raising and capitalisation
activities. However, considering already approved projects, for this call for proposals, only modules 2
and3 projects focusing and transfer and capitalisation are eligible.
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Possible actions targeting the replication, transfer, dissemination and capitalisation of existing tested
solutions are listed hereafter.
Possible actions (non-exhaustive list):
 Transforming pilot initiatives in higher scale projects

 Reformulating, complementing and improving results, activities and outputs already obtained in
precedent cooperation projects approved by the Med Programme and/or other related,
programmes (e.g.: European Commission Thematic programmes, European Territorial
Cooperation…)
 Implementing public policies for sustainable and responsible tourism or adopting action plans by
public authorities
 Transferring improved transnational systems or processes to other territories or relevant sectors
 Engaging Regions (beyond direct partnership) to strengthen connections and cooperation
regarding sustainable and responsible tourism, ICZM and MSP
 Creating synergies with other organisations, networks and programmes for complementarity and
coordinated actions towards effective implementation of ICZM protocol and MSP Directive
 Enhancing governance mechanisms towards ICZM and MSP for a better development of
sustainable tourism in coastal and maritime tourism
 Facilitating the integration of ICZM principles, objectives and actions related to tourism into
national or regional policy frameworks and instruments
 Building capacity and empowering:
o Public Authorities
o Tourist destinations stakeholders
o Economic operators
3.5. Beneficiaries and target groups
Each type of project (considering its focus and modular approach) requires the best definition of the
beneficiaries and target groups. For example, while a more end-user oriented project will demand the
strong connection to civil society and/or professional organisations, a mainstreaming project or module,
will request the involvement of public authorities (policy-makers and public managers) having the
adequate position and competencies to propose or change norms, regulations and plans.
Specifically for this call, considering the transfer, replicability and capitalisation emphasis given to this
call, attention should be particularly paid to the involvement of regional and national level structures, to
ensure policy support and mainstreaming of projects results.
Furthermore, in order to ensure a higher geographical coverage and a higher transnational character,
the minimum requirement of the Programme concerning the number of participating states is increased
to at least five (5) financing partners:
- from at least five different countries from the Interreg MED Programme area and
- with at least four of the partners located in the Union part of the Interreg MED Programme area
(four ERDF partners within the MED Programme area)
The definition of key actors should be extended also to all those networks and organisations that have
an important experience in targeting and influencing policy makers (e.g. CoR, ARE, CPMR…) or whose
involvement can ensure a multiplier effect in mobilising target groups or key actors.
Also social and economic actors (economic and registered citizenship associations) may be concerned /
targeted, because they can adopt good practices and standards, thus changing socio-economic behaviours.
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Other potentially relevant partners are organisations that have specific and scientific competences
providing expertise for the implementation of technical outputs, transfer of knowledge, dissemination
of solutions among specific communities, etc.
It is recommended that projects create synergies with entities/partners of projects of other territorial
cooperation (and thematic) EU programmes (to be specified with concrete indications and, if possible,
agreement letters), as well as with relevant International, EU and UN agencies / organisations enhancing
good practices and policy recommendations to capitalise.
We would like also to encourage the participation of organisations from IPA countries, which will bring
an additional value to the transnational cooperation character of our programme.
Furthermore we are also keen to welcome the participation of SMEs organisations, in particular under
GBER status ( 50% of ERDF co-financing) , as their approach and perspective can benefit the project in
a unique way, so long as they understand the true purpose of a collaborative transnational programme.
Main categories Examples for S.O. 3.1.

municipality, province, department, community of
municipalities, network of municipalities, especially their
local public authority
environment, economic development, sustainable
development or planning, tourism departments, …
regional council, especially their environment, economic
regional public authority development, sustainable development or planning, tourism
departments, …
national public authority Ministry for environment, tourism, ...
local or regional development agency, environmental agency,
sectoral agency
tourism agency, …
public transport, utility company (water supply, electricity
infrastructure and (public) service
supply, sewage, gas, waste collection, etc.), airport, port,
provider
railway, ...
Organisations working in the fields of sustainable tourism,
interest groups including NGOs protection and valorisation of natural and cultural heritage, risk
prevention, …
University, faculty, college, research institution, RTD facility,
higher education and research
research cluster, ...
education/training centre and
vocational training centre for tourism, territorial planning, …
school
Enterprise working in the fields of sustainable tourism,
enterprise, except SME protection and valorisation of natural and cultural heritage, risk
prevention, …
micro, small, medium enterprise, working in the fields of
SME sustainable tourism, protection and valorisation of natural and
cultural heritage, risk prevention, …
business support organisation chamber of commerce, chamber of trade and crafts, business
clusters, ...
EGTC European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation working in the
fields of sustainable tourism, protection and valorisation of
natural and cultural heritage, risk prevention, …
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International organisation, EEIG under national law, under international law, working in the
fields of sustainable tourism, protection and valorisation of
natural and cultural heritage, risk prevention, …
General public * citizens of tourist destinations, tourists, end users of services
developed…
* General public is only relevant as target group
3.6. Financial allocation
The indicative financial allocation for this Call for Proposals, for all priority axis, is 32M€ in total.
Overall ERDF envelope in the framework of this Call is 30M€. The breakdown between Axis is 8M€ for
Axis 1 and 22M€ for Axis 3.
The overall IPA envelope in the framework of this call is 2M€. The breakdown between Axis 1 and 3 will
be made by the Programme Committee on the basis of the quality of the proposals submitted.
Partners are co-financed at 85% or 50% (for partners under GBER regulation 651/2014).
See Factsheet “Partners co-financing and location of project activities” of the Programme Manual for
more information regarding the co-financing rates.
Project budget should be between 2.5 and 4 million € in total, depending on the planned activities and
the partnership involved.
Projects are invited to plan the beginning of their activities on 1st November 2019 and finalise them by the
30th June 2022 (projects duration should not exceed 32 months)
24
4. References
4.1. Interreg MED documents
- Interreg MED Cooperation Programme 2014-2020

- Diagnostic territorial analysis of the Interreg MED territorial cooperation programme (SWOT)
- Interreg MED Programme Manual
4.2. MED Projects 2007-2013
- MED Project Library http://www.programmemed.eu/library/recherche-des-donnees.html.

- MED projects data base http://www.programmemed.eu/index.php?id=15160&L=1
- Projects to consider among others :
o Regarding tourism:
 InnoNauTICs: support to SMEs in the sector of nautical tourism
 SHIFT: integrated quality management model for sustainable tourism in fragile coastal areas
and islands
 C.U.L.T.U.R.E.: protection of the urban historical heritage
 SUSTEN: integrated and sustainable management of natural and cultural resources
 MITOMED: integrated management model for maritime and coastal tourism
 TOURMEDASSETS: development of a DSS tool on assets and challenges of sustainable
tourism development
 CAIMANS: management of tourism impact due to maritime transport on the environment
(air quality, …)
o Regarding integrated coastal management:
 COASTANCE: exchange of good practices and recommendations on risk prevention
 MAREMED: mapping tools and recommendations for the implementation of an integrated
maritime policy in the Mediterranean
 COASTGAP: joint action plan for the management of climate change effects on coastal areas
 MED-IAMER: management of environmental risks
o Regarding territorial management:
 CATMED and Urban Empathy on urban sustainable planning
 CREPUDMED on urban territorial management
 MODELAND on rural areas and landscape
 OSDDT MED on soil use
 OTREMED on improvement of spatial planning competences
 MEDLAND2020 on land management scheme to protect natural resources while ensuring
social and economic valorisation
4.3. Regulations/ Directives
- Directive 2014/89/EC establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning

- Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe
- Directive 2002/49/EC on Noise Action Plan under
4.4. Communications and proposals from the Commission
- COM (2007) 575 An Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) for the EU

- COM (2007) 621 Agenda for a sustainable and competitive European tourism
25
- COM(2010) 352 Europe, the world’s No1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism
in Europe
- COM (2012) 494 Blue Growth, opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth
- COM (2014) 85 Proposal for a Council Recommendation on European Tourism Quality Principles
- COM (2014) 86 European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism
- COM(2014) 477 towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage in Europe
- COM(2015) 614 final Closing the loop - An EU action plan for the Circular Economy
- COM(2018) 28 final A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy
4.5. Programmes co-financed by the European Union
- ETC and Neighbourhood Programmes: Interreg EUROPE, ADRION, ALPINE SPACE, ATLANTIC AREA,
BALKAN-MEDITERRANEAN, CENTRAL EUROPE, ITALY-FRANCE MARITIME, SUDOE, ENI MED
- INTERACT study: Cross-Border Cooperation Maritime Programmes in the 2007 -2013 programming
period
- Committee of the Regions, Sustainable and competitive tourism – New funding opportunities for
local and regional authorities (2014)
- European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
- MARE (Project on Maritime Spatial Planning in the Mediterranean Sea and/or the Black Sea)
- COSME Programme
- 7th framework programme, PEGASO project
- Horizon 2020
- LIFE + Programme
4.6. Bibliography
At EU level:
a. Initiatives
- ETIS: European Tourism Indicator System for Sustainable Destinations
b. European Environment Agency
- Europe’s Environment, the fourth assessment
- Tourism focus (on website)
c. Programmes:
At United Nations Level:
d. UNEP/MAP
- Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, UNEP/MAP, 2006 (under current review)
- Sustainable Coastal Tourism: An integrated planning and management approach, UNEP/MAP, 2009
- Mandate of the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC), UNEP/MAP, 2010
- State of the Mediterranean Marine and Coastal Environment, Highlights for Policy Makers,
UNEP/MAP, 2012
- Tourism in the Mediterranean: a driving force for sustainable development?, Notes #24, Plan Bleu,
November 2012
- Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC), Progress Report for 2012-2013,
UNEP/MAP, Split, June 2013
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management:
 Protocol On Integrated Coastal Zone Management In The Mediterranean, UNEP/MAP, 2009
 Action Plan for the implementation of the ICZM Protocol for the Mediterranean (2012-2019),
UNEP/MAP, draft, May 2011
 National ICZM Strategies Guidelines for the preparation of National ICZM Strategies required by
the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Protocol for the Mediterranean, UNEP/MAP,
Draft, July 2012
26
- PAP/RAC, the CoastalManagement Centre http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/?lang=fr
- Blue Plan RAC http://planbleu.org/
-
e. UNESCO
- Convention Concerning The Protection Of The World Cultural And Natural Heritage, Adopted by the
General Conference at its seventeenth session, UNESCO, Paris, 16 November 1972
- UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme, WH+ST Action Plan 2013-2015,
UNESCO, 2012
f. UN/WTO
- Issues of measurement of environmental and social sustainability of tourism, International Workshop
On Tourism Statistics, UNWTO Headquarters, PDF, Madrid, Spain 17-20 July 2006
- UNTWO Tourism Highlights, UNTWO, Edition 2014
- The Mediterranean – a tourism stronghold: Facts and Figures, UNTWO, FrédéricPierret, Djerba, 16 -
17 April 2012
- UNWTO – Sustainable development of tourism programme http://sdt.unwto.org/
- Global Sustainable Tourism Council:
 Global Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria Version 1, 1 November 2013 and Suggested
Performance Indicators Version 1, 10 December 2013 for Destinations, Travel Together,
Preamble, GSTC, 2014
g. QUALITYCOAST
- QualityCoast: Sustainability Measurement of Worldwide Coastal regions:
(http://www.qualitycoast.info/europe.htm)
- The QualityCoast Standard: Standard for the certification of tourism sustainability of island and
coastal destinations through the QualityCoast Award, QualityCoast Team, 2013
h. CREST (Centre de Recherche en Economie et Statistiques)
- The Case for Responsible Travel: Trends and Statistics, CREST, 2013
i. ICRT (International Consumer Research and Testing)
- Researching Responsible Tourism Reporting, International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Jenefer
Bobbin, Occasional Paper OP 24, 2012
j. WWF (World Wide Fund)
- on coastal development problems: Tourism
27

Third - Call - ToR - 3.1 - EN-Final - Revised - Axis 3 - Natural and Cultural Resources 3.1. Sustainable Tourism (Updated On 05-11-2018)

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Third - Call - ToR - 3.1 - EN-Final - Revised - Axis 3 - Natural and Cultural Resources 3.1. Sustainable Tourism (Updated On 05-11-2018)

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Call for project proposals 2018:

Protecting and promoting Mediterranean natural and cultural resources

Specific Objective 3.1.:

Programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

Programme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

1.1. EUROPEAN UNION

1.1.1. Europe 2020 Strategy

Key challenges for the sustainability of EU tourism:

1.1.2. Thematic Programmes

Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs - COSME

DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries

1.1.3. Other funding instruments

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development – EAFRD

1.2. MEDITERRANEAN SPACE

1.2.1. Interreg MED Context

Tourism damages coastal environment:

Tourism affects coastal and maritime biodiversity:

Tourism affects socio-cultural identity:

But sustainable coastal tourism also benefits to coastal regions:

1.2.2. MED 2007-2013

1.2.3. Other European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) and Neighbourhood programmes

2.1. A new approach: the Interreg MED architecture

The Interreg MED architecture is composed of three typologies of projects:

- Axis 4 Governance Platform project and strategic projects

This Architecture can be materialised with the following scheme:

2.2. Types of projects

 M2 - TESTING: Pilot demonstration and transfer actions

 M3 - CAPITALISING:Transfer, dissemination and capitalisation:

2.3. Interaction between horizontal and modular projects

2.4. PROGRAMME COMMUNICATION TOOLS FOR PROJECTS

2.5. Adoption of a greener approach

2.6. From a “should” to a “must”

2.7. Submission procedure and calendar of the call

Key steps Dates

3. Expectations for the Call

3.1. Expectations for the Specific Objective

Study projects (2):

Study + pilot projects (6):

BLUEISLANDS (Seasonal variation of waste as effect of tourism) – Ongoing

EMBLEMATIC (Emblematic Mediterranean mountains as coastal destinations of excellence) - Ongoing

MEDFEST (Mediterreanean culinary heritage experiences: how to create sustainable tourist

Pilot projects (2):

DESTIMED (Mediterranean ecotourism destination: main components (joint planning, monitoring,

Pilot + Capitalisation projects (4):

CONSUMELESS (Consume less in Mediterranean touristic communities) - Ongoing

MEDCYCLETOUR (Mediteranean cycle route for sustainable coastal tourism) - Ongoing

MITOMED+ (Models of integrated tourism in the Mediterranean plus) - Ongoing

Capitalisation project (1):

COASTING (Coastal INtegrated Governance for Sustainable Tourism) - Ongoing

COASTING’s (started 02/01/2018 and ending 07/31/2019) transnational partnership is activating

Integrated projects (study + pilot + capitalisation projects) (2):

From the strategical point of view,as stated in the previous section:

3.3. Sub-thematic focuses

1. How to integrate tourism development into wider strategies?

In this call, emphasis will be given on:

2. How to enhance sustainable and responsible tourism management?

3.4. Possible actions

Possible actions (non-exhaustive list):

 Transforming pilot initiatives in higher scale projects

3.5. Beneficiaries and target groups

Main categories Examples for S.O. 3.1.

3.6. Financial allocation